Novae and Supernovae

Novae and supernovae are astronomical phenomena that captivate both amateur stargazers and seasoned astrophysicists alike. These cosmic events, characterized by the sudden and dramatic increase in brightness of a star, play significant roles in shaping our understanding of stellar evolution and the dynamics of the universe. Novae, often referred to as "new stars," occur in binary star systems when a white dwarf accretes matter from its companion star, triggering a thermonuclear explosion on its surface. In contrast, supernovae represent the cataclysmic death throes of massive stars, resulting in the release of staggering amounts of energy and the formation of exotic celestial remnants.